User Guide

Chapter 1 Things you need to know
14
Files that PSpice generates
After reading the circuit file, netlist file, model libraries,
and any other required inputs, PSpice starts the
simulation. As simulation progresses, PSpice saves results
to two files—the data file and the PSpice output file.
Waveform data file
The data file contains simulation results that that can be
displayed graphically. PSpice reads this file automatically
and displays waveforms reflecting circuit response at
nets, pins, and parts that you marked in your schematic
(cross-probing). You can set up your design so PSpice
displays the results as the simulation progresses or after
the simulation completes.
After PSpice has read the data file and displays the initial
set of results, you can add more waveforms and to
perform post-simulation analysis of the data.
PSpice output file
The PSpice output file is an ASCII text file that contains:
• the netlist representation of the circuit,
• the PSpice command syntax for simulation commands
and options (like the enabled analyses),
•
simulation results, and
• warning and error messages for problems
encountered during read-in or simulation.
Its content is determined by:
•
the types of analyses you run,
•
the options you select for running PSpice, and
•
the simulation control symbols (like VPRINT1 and
VPLOT1) that you place and connect to nets in your
design.
For a
d
escription o
f
h
ow to
d
isp
l
ay
simulation results, see Part four
,
Viewing results.
For a description of the waveform analyzer
program, see What is waveform
analysis? on page 1-8.
T
h
ere are two ways to a
dd
wave
f
orms to
the display:
• From within PSpice, by specifying trace
expressions.
• From within Capture, by cross-probing.
Examp
l
e: Eac
h
instance o
f
a VPRINT1
symbol placed in your schematic causes
PSpice to generate a table of voltage values
for the connecting net, and to write the
table to the PSpice output file.
Pspug.book Page 14 Wednesday, November 11, 1998 1:14 PM